CALEDONIA COUNTY – To the Elected Officials of Caledonia County, Residents and lawmakers:
I am writing to you with a heavy heart and deep outrage over the recent actions of the Caledonia County State’s Attorney Claire Burns, who was appointed by Governor Scott. The handling of recent cases involving known pedophiles and predators like Carl Sanborn, has been nothing short of devastating, not only to the victims directly involved, but to all who expect their leaders to protect the most vulnerable among us.
State’s Attorney Claire Burns has made a plea deal with Carl Sanborn that has minimized his horrific crimes, silencing victims yet again through erroneous agreements that value convenience over justice. In this case, Carl Sanborn, who sexually abused five children for years, received a sentence so light that it amounted to little more than one year per child. This is not justice. This is a betrayal.
Elected officials are meant to stand for the people who cannot stand for themselves. Children who have been sexually abused deserve to have their voices heard, their trauma validated and their abusers held fully accountable.
Instead, these children, now silenced adults, have been left with the crushing realization that their courage in speaking out has been disregarded. The wealth of evidence that could have kept Carl Sanborn behind bars for life was dismissed in favor of reducing caseloads. This is deplorable, disheartening and utterly unacceptable.
As a family member of four of Carl Sanborn’s victims, I am outraged. My family does not understand, and will never understand, how such a grave miscarriage of justice could be allowed to stand. It feels like a slap in the face, a punch in the gut and a clear message to predators everywhere that Vermont will let them off with light sentences so they will continue to molest, assault and rape.
This cannot continue. I urge you to take immediate action: Reconsider the appointment of State’s Attorney Claire Burns and hold accountable any official who prioritizes convenience over justice.
Review and reform plea deal practices for crimes of sexual abuse and exploitation, a mandatory sentence should begin at 25 years.
Make it clear through policy and action that Vermont stands with victims, not with their abusers.
Victims deserve to know that the state they live in will protect them and fight for them, not re-traumatize them through lenient deals and silenced voices.
I beg of all of you in Vermont to file petitions, raise your voices and take swift measures to ensure this never happens again.
I will not sit by and be silenced. Vermont as every other state in this country should be a place where justice for children is never compromised.
